ADHD is not a superpower

We need to face the reality of our condition, rather than drifting in a sea of illusions.

Have you ever heard that ADHD is your secret weapon, your strategic reserve, your unique source of power that makes you special and distinguished in a world dominated by unimaginative and square behavior? I bet you have!

It may feel comfortable and bring a shot of dopamine to hear that we are special, but we are not here to massage your ego or say whatever you want to read in exchange for social media engagement. We are here to make you think, reflect, and leave your comfort zone so you can increase your awareness about ADHD and/or its symptoms.

Let’s be straight and real: labeling ADHD as a "superpower" is a huge exaggeration.

More than that, it is misleading and can even be harmful. It oversimplifies the struggles we face and the challenges that come with the condition, often dismissing the real difficulties we encounter daily.

The idea of ADHD as a "superpower" likely comes from traits like creativity, quick thinking, and problem-solving skills. Yes, these are strengths many of us with ADHD possess, but they are far from defining the whole experience. Living with ADHD is also about managing executive function challenges, battling impulsivity, and dealing with the frustration of feeling stuck on tasks others might find simple.

When people portray ADHD as a special feature, they romanticize it. This overlooks the vast array of struggles, like the difficulty we have focusing on technical and academic matters, maintaining routines, or meeting expectations at school, work, or in relationships. These aren’t minor inconveniences: they are fundamental parts of life, and hurdles in these areas often bring massive, negative impacts.

Saying all this isn’t meant to bring you down because you have ADHD. Quite the opposite: the goal here is to encourage a realistic and practical perspective on your condition. It’s far better to understand it well than to delude yourself and waste time chasing illusions.

One of my biggest challenges as someone with ADHD is being practical, and I’m sure this is true for many of you too. Life is too short to waste time on illusions.

What’s true, however, is that ADHD brings a “fresh” perspective. Many of us have a knack for spotting opportunities others might overlook or approaching problems from unconventional angles. That’s something tangible about ADHD—a fact we can examine within ourselves and potentially find ways to harness.

This isn’t because we’re "superheroes," but because our brains process information differently.

Take creativity, for example. Not every person with ADHD is bursting with artistic talent, but our non-linear thinking can lead us to solutions that aren’t bound by convention. Again, this doesn’t make us "better" or "more capable" than anyone else. It’s simply a different approach that sometimes works in our favor.

ADHD is a complex condition. It comes with strengths, but those strengths don’t cancel out the difficulties. Calling ADHD a “superpower” can create pressure to live up to an idealized version of the condition, where struggles are dismissed, and only the positives are celebrated. While some traits may seem advantageous in certain situations, they aren’t universal, nor do they make the condition easy or enviable.

Rather than calling ADHD a superpower, we should understand it for what it truly is: a neurodivergent way of functioning that has its ups and downs. This means acknowledging both the challenges and the unique qualities that come with it.

When we accept ADHD as a part of who we are, not something to glamorize or dismiss, we establish a connection with the world and open up realistic ways to thrive.

So no, ADHD isn’t a superpower. It’s a multifaceted experience that shapes how we navigate the world and may or may not present particular challenges. And that’s more than enough!